LIQUID SMOOTH

As the words left Absinth's lips, Aresenn could feel the weight of her revelation settling heavily in the crackling silence between them. "His silvertongue..." Aresenn echoed softly, the weight of Absinth's revelation settling heavily in the crackling silence between them. He watched her intently, his mind whirring with questions. She tried her best to maintain a calm facade, but he could see the struggle in her eyes. The flickering flames of the fireplace danced across her face, casting shadows that seemed to mimic the intricacies of her story.

The confession of her fear, so raw and exposed, struck a chord within him. Aresenn had seen her resilient facade crack just enough to reveal the shred of vulnerability that haunted her. He understood the gravity of what she had shared, recognizing the trust she placed in him by unveiling this ghostly fragment of her past. "We all have our nightmares," he murmured, his voice a gentle ripple against the night's hush. Leaning forward slightly, he sought to bridge the space between them, not physically but emotionally. "I can't imagine the weight it carries." He hesitated, sorting out the words he wanted to say to convey his response. "But know this, Absinth ... you don't have to be alone in shouldering that burden."

His amber gaze softened a bit, but there was still a glint of intensity. "Your fears, your nightmares— If you need someone to help push back against those shadows, I'm here." Aresenn's words lingered in the air, a solemn promise woven with sincerity. He respected her boundaries, understanding the delicate nature of her disclosure, yet offering unwavering support in the silent language of understanding and solidarity.

With a sigh, he leaned back into a more posture, his attention drifting toward the blaze. "And at the end of the day, fancy titles and madness aside. Your father, is just a man- albeit a dangerous one. He lives and breathes like the rest of us. He can certainly fall like the rest of us." He finished. It was a sentiment that wasn't intended to undermine her fears. Not in the slightest. But rather a promise- a vow, that he would kill for her without hesitation. Or at the very least, defend her to his last breath.

"Aresenn Praetor"